Born on the Fourth of July is the 1989 feature film adaptation of an autobiographical novel written by Ron Kovic, a US Marine who was paralyzed during the Vietnam War and subsequently became involved in the anti-war movement. The film was directed by Oliver Stone (who received his second Academy Award for Best Director) and stars Tom Cruise as Kovic. The film was part of director Oliver Stone's unofficial "trilogy" of Vietnam War-themed films which included 1986's Platoon and 1993's Heaven & Earth.
The following weapons were used in the film Born on the Fourth of July:
During the 4th of July parade set in the late 1950's, ROTC cadets are seen marching with M1903 Springfield rifles. ROTC cadets carry the rifles in a 4th of July parade set in 1969.
During the 4th of July parade set in the late 1950's, veterans are briefly seen marching with what appear to be M1 Garand rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingM1 Garand semiautomatic Rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06Error creating thumbnail: File missingDuring the 4th of July parade set in the late 1950's, veterans are briefly seen marching with what appear to be M1 Garand rifles. The Marine in the wheelchair in the front is the real Ron Kovic in a cameo role.
M14 Rifle
Ron Kovic (Tom Cruise) and his fellow Marines use M14 rifles during the Vietnam sequences, which take place in January 1968, when the rifle was in the process of being replaced by the M16A1 in the United States Marine Corps. The rifle is used in several pivotal sequences, including the accidental shooting of Vietnamese civilians in a hamlet, the death of one of Kovic's squadmates and finally when Kovic himself is paralyzed during an ambush.
North Vietnamese soldiers can be seen with SKS Type 56 rifles during the ambush of the Marines.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingChinese Type 56 Carbine aka the Chinese SKS rifle - 7.62x39mm. The Chinese SKS has a stamped receiver and a spike bayonet (aka a "pig sticker") much like one of their AK47 copies - the Type 56 assault rifle. This version, like many imported SKS rifles, have the infamous 'orange cratewood' stocks, probably the lowest quality wood in any mass produced rifle. Many SKS rifles during the Vietnam War were issued with reddish plastic stocks, because of the incidents of 'wood rot' in the humid SE Asian jungles.Error creating thumbnail: File missingAn NVA soldier running with a Type 56 rifle.
Norinco Type 56
North Vietnamese soldiers fire Type 56 rifles during the ambush of Kovic's Marine platoon.
In the film, one of the weapons carried by the Marines in Vietnam is the 3.5 inch M20A1 "Super Bazooka" rocket launcher. A Marine can be briefly seen assembling a 3.5 inch M20A1 "Super Bazooka" when Kovic's platoon is ambushed.
